The Mayor of Maó, Vicenç Tur, placed responsibility for the dilapidated state of the old Military Hospital firmly on the shoulders of the owners, Inversiones Porto Novo, who acquired the building in 2003. Situated on calle Vassallo, the road between the airport and the town, the building has steadily deteriorated over the last decade, offering a poor first impression to visitors entering the town, and has long been the subject of criticisms from various sectors.
To date, the only work carried out by the new owners has been to demolish part of the building in 2006 on the advice of experts.
According to Maó Council, the plot could be used for any purpose other than residential and, at the end of January 2006, a detailed study of the area was approved which would allow a project to be drawn up for the land which was initially 15,000 sq.m. in area but reduced to 10,000 sq.m. after the cession of 5,000 sq.m. to the Council for use as a green space.
Despite its appearance, the building is sound, according to the Mayor, which means that it cannot be declared to be in a state of ruin which thus limits the Council's options for taking action.
In a recent meeting with representatives of the owners, the local authority insisted that the plot be maintained, cleaned and kept secure. According to Tur, the site's owners have undertaken to present a project before the end of the year, possibly for a combination of uses, which will be given maximum priority to resolve the situation.